Buying new 2015 Tacoma - Help me understand these options

Greetings,

After owning two Tundras, I am planning now to get a 2015 Tacoma within the next few weeks. I've been looking at all the local dealer websites, searching their inventory, and playing with the configurations on the Toyota main website.

After doing this, I have some questions about options.

First, some context: I want a double cab 4x4 V6.

1) What is the difference, suspension-wise, between the "TRD Sport" and the "TRD Off-Road" packages? They both seem to come with the Bilstein shocks, etc. Does one have a higher ground clearance than the other? What are the other differences?

2) What is the difference between the Entune "Premium" audio, and the Entune Premium JBL audio? Are these actually two different audio options, or the same? In other words, if you get "Premium" audio, is it already JBL?

3) If you purchased factory Navigation in your Tacoma, how do you like it? I want factory Navigation, but it seems pretty difficult to find one equipped that way. I know I can buy aftermarket, or "outboard" Nav, but greatly prefer factory unless there is a really good reason not to.

4) If you have a "Limited" version, how is the suspension? Are you glad you got a limited vs. a TRD Sport or Off-Road with additional options?

Thanks for any help!

 

Same suspension I believe. Different wheels. Off-Road has rear locker, ATRAC and on automatic transmissions DAC. Off-road has a different ABS system than all other trim packages, it is integrated into the brake booster on the Off-Road. Sport has a cosmetic scoop on the hood for some unknown reason. There are other cosmetic differences in the body (e.g. what is color matched and what is chrome).

One big difference is for double cab the Off-Road only comes with a short bed. You can get a Sport long bed.

In my opinion there is no point to the Sport unless you need a long bed. Others will disagree with me strongly

 

The TRD Sport and Offroad have different springs on the shocks up front.

 

DVexile,

Very interesting about the different ABS system - What is the advantage (if any) of integrating it into the brake booster?

I did notice the TRD Sports seem to have 17 inch wheels, while the Off-Road seem to have 16 inch, which surprises me - I would figure it would be the other way around, if anything.

I should also have mentioned - I am getting an automatic transmission, not manual, and also, plan to opt for the short bed. But this still means I can choose from either TRW Sport or TRD Off-Road, so I am trying to completely understand the differences. I had no idea about the ABS differences, but this is exactly the sort of info I am trying to find out. But I am not sure which would be better for me.

I do not plan to do any serious off-roading, but I do prefer a very firm suspension.

 

I picked up my TRD Sport last week. I tried to order JBL and Nav, unsuccessfully and I had to settle for the Entune plus and no Nav. Entune plus includes Sirius and 6(crappy) speakers. I already am actively researching stereo upgrade options because IMO the stereo sounds awful. I test drove the TRD offroad and found the ride a little to bouncy for me, I don't go off road. I also love the scoop on Sport hood !

 

Both versions have the same overall tire size. The reason the off road has a smaller wheel and a taller sidewall is because it is more suited to off road applications. The sport has the opposite to reduce sidewall flex.

The differences in the breaking systems are too make atrac possible. The off road uses an electric brake booster while the sport uses vacuum system.

 

Why would you prefer factory navigation over having a dedicated Garmin?

I never understand why people want factory Nav in a vehicle. No car manufacturer's Nav system is anywhere near as good as a Garmin. Garmin's user interface wins in reviews against other GPS systems every time hands down.

If you get a dedicated device; then you can take it out of the vehicle and enter destination coordinates or plan out an entire trip from your couch while looking at a laptop or tablet. You can get lifetime map updates fairly cheap. You can take it with you in any vehicle you want, or even use it walking around an unfamiliar city. It's cheaper, and you can see your Nav and radio at the same time on two separate screens.

 

I honestly do not know. My understanding is that the reason for it is to support ATRAC which apparently involves a lot more individual wheel activations of the brakes compared to the standard traction control modes. Some people interpret this as meaning the TRD Off Road ABS system is "better" or "stronger" but I honestly have no idea if that is true. The thing true for sure is that it is "different".

One practical difference is that this means the space under the hood used for the separate ABS hydraulic system on most trucks is free for other uses in an Off-Road. Some people put under hood air compressor in that location.

Actually most people doing off road prefer a smaller rim for a given total tire diameter - they want more sidewall. A small rim and taller sidewall reduces the chance of rim damage and gives a softer ride when airing down a bit for washboard and what not. In a more road tuned application you'd prefer a larger rim and shorter sidewall. So the Sport and Off-Road wheel sizes "make sense" in that regard.

And apologies, I forgot the suspensions were tuned differently. I knew that once - things seem to fall out of my head these days. Fortunately a few more knowledgeable folks gave you the correct info there.

 

The hydraulic brake booster in the off road model certainly is stronger and does provide better braking power, compared to the vacuum booster used in all other models.

At least that's what I learned from my taco world research, and also what I experienced personally from test driving an SR5, Sport, and Off Road before buying.

It's definitely a noticeable difference side by side. My sales man actually tried telling me the off road has larger rotors and brake pads, because of the stronger braking. lol I wouldn't expect anything less from a stealership salesman.

 

Most people have already answered these pretty well, but i'll add my two cents on 2, 3 and 4.

2: The JBL comes with the JBL speakers and Subwoofer - the premium does not. The premium has the App Suite over the standard audio. My father and I both have the JBL and I get asked all the time if I installed custom audio because they sound good.

3: I love my factory nav, my only complaint is not being able to enter info while moving. The 2015 has a better system so you can view I think 3 different screens at once, 2012 is just audio or nav or ... To each his own about I'd rather have a Garmin. No complaints on OEM for me - haven't gotten lost or couldn't find something.

4: I have the Sport and it rides pretty well. My dad has the limited and I'd say it feels a little softer and more comfy (not by alot though). So if you are looking for city driving or road trips then either one would be nice. If you are looking at lifting then it won't much matter which option you go with, since you'll most likely change them all out anyways.


If you want some more specifics just let me know. I can get you some pictures or more detailed info.

Mine: 2012 TRD Sport DSCB JBL Nav
Dads: 2015 Limited DSCB JBL Nav

 

Appears lots of complaints about the factory navigation, such as slow response, sunlight glare, and the interface is complex.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/352218-entune-navigation-system-worth-upgrade.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...w-can-i-get-navigation-entune-audio-plus.html

 

Wow, guys, I certainly came to the right place for answers! Thank you all for the responses.

Based on what I see here and what I have learned, I want to get a 2015 Tacoma, 4x4 V6 Double Cab Off Road, with JBL Audio and Navigation. Now, if I can only find one....Not very many come equipped this way.

 

I love the built in nav on my '14. I never use it for nav but I use it for finding alternate side routes (usually through neighborhoods) around traffic in rush hour. I also zoom the map out to get an idea of the interstate status on the south half of the metro area as well as seeing any construction and/or traffic.

Those two features are worth it, I was originally skeptical. Yeah I could leave a Garmin, tablet, or phone on the dash but you're more likely to come back to a broken window and a missing gps/tablet/phone. Also not having to mount the Garmin/tablet every time I get in the vehicle is nice.

Sure it makes my payments a few dollars more a month but when the truck is paid off I won't care.

 

That is the perfect truck, you will love it. I love my 4x4 off road, best truck I have ever owned in my 41 years.

 

If you find one w/out the nav but everything else, is that a deal breaker?

 

I was always under the impression that traffic alerts on any GPS system aren't very accurate, because they all use radio signals for the traffic alerts. Sounds like they work for you though, and you think they are pretty helpful.

Guess that feature would be good if you live in a city and deal with traffic jams all the time. Even just a 30 min delay in traffic information can easily render the data useless though and cause you to take a slower route.

 

I notice there's about a 5 minute delay but more often then not I'm moving on side streets instead of sitting in a jam now. YMMV.

Yeah it'd have less value if I lived in a rural area. I do use the actual navigation sometimes, usually on long trips as it takes 5-10 minutes to get the damn addresses programmed in using voice and it gives me something to futz with for a bit.

It does have the Bing app in etune (entune, whatever) that you can use to search for a business and then there's a shortcut to navigate to that location and I use that sometimes but mostly I have destinations programmed into my phone on google maps before I'm even in the truck for stuff around town.

It's not for everyone but I like it a lot more then I expected to though like I said the actual nav function sucks just because the address entry process is a pain in the ass.

 

Hi Taco Limited owner here:

The ride between limited and the two mention is kind a different, the limited have a smooth ride especially when hitting the bump, maybe just because the shocks are a little softer, compare to Bilstein . and for the Navigation i like it very much, very accurate. The difference bet. Entune Premium an Entune JBL, the JBL has a Subwoofer/Bass behind the seat and that make the sound better compare to Entune Plus. It has a chrome package as well such as side mirror with turn signal, door handle and a limited badge, and 18" chrome wheel with 265/60/18 tires. Found out later that the chrome rims are only a hub cap covering the wheel, which I don't know if the rims are steel or alloy. And yes, I am very happy I got the Limited.
Add On: It also have a heated leather seat.

 

Don't want to argue, you should definitely get whatever makes you happy. But might want to read the taco world links that tomwil posted on factory Nav first:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd...h-upgrade.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd...udio-plus.html

There are also plenty of posts around here asking about the JBL subwoofer rattling in it's plastic box and sounding terrible over time. Plastic boxes and subwoofers just don't mix together very well.

In my opinion you would be way better off buying a dedicated Garmin with lifetime map updates, and installing an aftermarket stereo with a subwoofer in a carpeted wooden box. You'll end up with better Nav and better stereo for no more cost in the end, even if you pay someone to have the stereo installed.

 

First, I continue to be amazed at the responses - I didn't expect so many! There sure are a lot of Tacoma lovers out there. We love our Tundras, in fact, we still have our 2006 Tundra, but the newer ones are just too big for our purposes.

glwood6 - At this point in my search, I am looking for everything, including the Navigation, JBL audio and Off-Road w/towing package. I plan to keep looking until April, and if I can't find it by then, may be willing to give up on the Nav, albeit reluctantly. I have a Garmin and find it a hassle with extra cords, mounting on windshield, etc.